Water heater



Aug. 13, 1929. E PAIGE 1,724,885

WATER HEATER Filed Oct. 19. 192

Patented Aug. 13, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR E. PAIGE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN WOOD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CONSHOHOOKEN, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORA- TION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

WATER HEATER.

Application filed October 19, 1926.

It is the object and effect of my invention to provide a water container of cellular structure including thin sheet metal walls, preferably copper, forming separate passageways for water and products of combustion of gas or other fuel, and provided with means for directing the flow of water through the water passageways so as to eificiently utilize the entire extent of the heating surface.

As hereinafter described, my invention includes a water container comprising a congeries of metal tubes having enlarged poly onal ends which fit together; said congeries having a polygonal perimeter; and means forming respective water inlet and outlet ports communicating with said passage ways; and a partition separating said water passageways and extending between said inlet and outlet; whereby water circulated in said structure is baflied by said partition and directed transversely to the axes of said tubes. Of course, such congeries may be inclosed in suitable casings of the configuration of their polygonal perimeters; but it is less costly to manufacture casings which are cylindrical. Therefore, I find it desirable to combine with such congeries of tubes, means for filling out their perimeters to a circular configuration, so that they may be fitted in cylindrical casings. As hereinafter described; that result may be attained by the use of two circular series of filling pieces at the axially opposite ends of said tubes, each having an inner surface fitting the polygonal perimeter of the tube congeries, and an outer arcuate surface, and each series forming a circle.

Furthermore; the water may be compelled to take a more tortuous path through said passageways by providing another partition, in complementary relation with said first partition, and extending radially in said congeries, and corrugated to fit between said tubes.

My invention includes the various novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more definitely specified.

In said drawings; Fig. I is a plan view of a circular cellular water container embodying my invention, having the water inlet and outlet ports'in coaxial relation therewith, and with the baffling partition extendserial No. 142,574.

ing both transversely and radially with respect to the axis of the casing.

Fig. II is a fragmentary diametrical sectional view, taken on the line II, II in Fig. I.

Fig. III is a plan view of a modified form of myinvention, wherein both of the bafliing partitions extend radially with respect to the axis of the structure.

Fig. IV is a fragmentary diametrical seciiloinal view, taken on the line IV, IV in Fig.

Fig. V is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the line V, V in Fig-IV.

Fig. VI is a plan view of a congeries of tubes having triangular prism ends.

Fig. VII is a plan view of a congeries of tubes having quadrangular prism ends.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. I and II; the congeries of tubes having the polygonal perimeter 1, is composed of individual tubes 2, which are primarily cylindriform but have their ends 3 enlarged to hexagonal form; so that when said ends are fitted together, the cylindriform bodies of the tubes are in spaced relation to afford water passageways 5 around and between them. Each of said tubes forms a passageway 7 for the gaseous products of combustion extending axially through it and, of course, separated by the walls of the tubes from the water passageways around the tubes.

Two circular series of segmental filling pieces 8 are disposed at the axially opposite ends of said tubes 2, each having an inner surface 9 fitting said perimeter 1, and each having an outer arcuate surface 10; each series of six of such filling pieces 8 forming a circle fitting within the circumferential band 12 which is conveniently formed of a strip of sheet metal encircling said filling pieces.

Any suitable means may be provided for affording an inlet and outlet to said water passageways 5. However, I prefer to provide unitary means for that purpose and, in the form of my invention shown in Figs. I and II; the water inlet and outlet ports 14 and 15 are screw threaded openings in coaxial relation in a unitary casting having annular ends 16 and comprising the transversely extending partition 17 connected therewith in spaced relation by the triple In the form of my invention shown in Figs. III and IV; the inlet port and outlet port 21 are screw threaded openings in coaxial relation in the unitary casting 22 which is in coaxial relation with the water container 23 which may be formed of a congeries of tubes and filling pieces as above described. Said casting 22 has the radial partition 24 between its ports 25 and 26, which extend parallel with its axis, at one side of its circumference, and in respective communication with said inlet port 20 and outlet port 21. The partition 28 extends radially in said congeries of tubes, in complementary relation to said first partition 24, and is corrugated to fit in the wa ter passageways 5 between said tubes. Said casting 22 is preferably provided with two zones 30, of polygonal perimeter, fitted to the hexagonal ends 3 of the surrounding congeries of said tubes 2 and the joints between said elements may be sealed by any convenient means, for instance, such as above described.

Although I prefer to form the congeries of tubes having hexagonal ends when it is desired to have the water passageways as thin as possible; it is to be understood that such congeries may be formed of tubes hav ing their ends of different polygonal configuration. For instance, in Fig. VI, the tubes 31 have triangular prism ends 32 and, in Fig. VII, the tubes 34 have quadrangular prism ends 35.

It is to be particularly noted that whereas filling pieces are required at the perimeter of any congeries of hexagonal tubes to fill out the irregular polygonal configuration thereof to any uniform contour; a congeries.

of tubes such as shown in Fig. VI may have a uniform configuration of any character in the triangular series and a congeries of tubes such as shown in Fig. VII may be formed to fit any rectangular casing.

Therefore, I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement herein set forth, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a water container,the combination with a congeries of metal tubes, having enlarged polygonal ends; said congeries having a polygonal perimeter; of two circular series of segmental filling pieces, respectively at the axially opposite ends of said tubes, each of said filling piece-s having an inner surface fitting said polygonal perimeter, and

2. In a water container, the combination with a congeries of cylindriform metal tubes, having enlarged hexagonal ends; said congeries having a polygonal perimeter;of two circular series of segmental filling pieces, re-

.spectively at the axially opposite ends of said tubes, each of said filling pieces having an inner surface fitting said polygonal perimeter, and an outer arcuate surface, and each series forming a circle; a cylindrical band encircling said filling pieces; and means sealing the joints between the ends of said tubes, said filling pieces and said band to form a cellular honeycomb of thin metal walls, forming separate passageways for water and gas; and means forming an inlet port and an outlet port in communication with said water passageways.

3. The combination with a congeries of tubes having hexagonal ends and forming a cellular honeycomb of thin sheet metal walls,

.with separate passageways for water and gas; of unitary means forming an inlet and outlet port in communication with said water passageways and a partition separating said 1 water passageways and extending between said inlet and outlet, including a tubular structure having two zones, of polygonal perimeter, fitted to the hexagonal ends of said tubes; and means hermetically sealing;

the joints between said congeries and said polygonal perimeter of said tubular structure; whereby water circulated in said structure is baffled by said partition and directed transversely to the axes of said tubes. 1'

4. A structure as in claim 3; having another partition extending radially in said congeries, in complementary relation to said first partition.

5. A structure as in claim 3; having an other partition extending radially in said congeries, in complementary relation to said first partition, and corrugated to fit between said tubes.

6. Thecombination with a cellular struc ture, comprising a congeries of metal tubes forming separate passageways for different fluids; of means forming an inlet port and an outlet port in communication with one set of passageways and extending in coaxial relation parallel with the axes of said tubes; including partition means extending both radially and transversely t0 the common axis of said port.

7. The combination with a cellular structure, comprising a congeries of metal tubes forming separate passageways for different fluids, of means forming an inlet port and an outlet port in communication with one set of passageways and extending in coaxial relationparallel with the axes of said tubes, including partition means extending'radially between said ports, parallel with said axes.

8. A single metal structure including axially alined inlet and outlet ports at respectively opposite ends thereof, a baflle partition between said ports, and including means forming two polygonal zones respectively adjacent to the ends of said structure, adapted to fit in an annular congeries of polygonal tubes.

9. A structure as in claim 8, having a baflle partition transverse to its axis and baflle partitions radial to its axis between said ports and said transverse partition; whereby fluid passing said portsis divided and deflected transversely.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this eleventh day of September, 1926.

ARTHUR E. PAIGE. 

